Obituary for John David Hanscom
Bar Harbor
John David Hanscom, passed away at his home in Bar Harbor on his 74th birthday. He was born January 28, 1948. He is the son of Elmer Colon Hanscom and Alice (MacDonald) Hanscom.
John was raised in, as he called it, Salsbury Cove, America. As a kid growing up, he had the most fun with his cousin, Stephen A. Strout.
John graduated from Bar Harbor High School as a proud member of the class of 1966. He never missed a class reunion! Following his graduation, he attended Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute (or as John called it, Whatsamatta U), in Presque Isle, Maine and became a Master Electrician. After his graduation at NMVTI, he married Janice Marie Shelton in August of 1968. His first job as an electrician was with Lymburner Electric and then with Peter Young until he struck out on his own, creating Hanscom Electric in the late 1970’s. He had a fire engine red van with whitewall tires, a lightbulb and lightning bolts painted on the sides.
In 1987 with his wife, Janice, they purchased Cromwell Harbor Motel in Bar Harbor. Together, they have worked tirelessly to create the business that still stands today. Janice, along with their daughter, Joy, and son, Jay, will continue the legacy of ‘The Cromwell’. John was very proud of his first-born son, Jimmy, who is a valued and successful member of the Maine Fishing Community. Jimmy lobsters out of Bar Harbor on his boat, Capt. Colie III. His boat is named after John’s father, of whom John was very close with, carrying on Colie’s seafaring legacy.
In John’s younger years he was a talented singer and guitar player. He once was offered an opportunity to go to Nashville! He performed at his sister-in-law, Paula’s wedding and brought the whole church to their knees. Later, John might hear a song and say, “I used to knock ‘em dead with that one”.
John enjoyed baseball, hockey, and golf. He played hockey on the “Cardiac League”, driving late nights to Orono for ice time with his buddies, and he would pass the puck with his kids at Glen Mary.
He proudly coached his two sons in youth baseball. A lot of kids probably have some funny memories of “Mr. Hanscom” who later became “John Dog”. John had so much fun teaching those kids the game he loved. He’d often answer the telephone, “Fenway Park, second base”, and anytime it was “time to change the subject” he’d say, “how ‘bout them Red Sox”.
He played a fair amount of golf at Kebo Valley Golf Club in his day. The Member Guest tournament was always a highlight of his summer, especially during his later years with his good friend, Doug Segal.
Snowmobiling, four wheeling and going into camp at Duck Lake and Rock Crossing with his best friends, Raymond Hanscom, Alvah Strout and Arthur Fox were probably some of his most favorite times. He always said they were “four men having more fun than they should be al- lowed to have”.
John might be best remembered for his incredible knack for telling stories and jokes, sitting in his car at the town pier before sunrise doing Sudoku and shooting the sh#t with the guys, having wicked bonfires, and making sure his lawn at the motel looked just like a baseball field. And there was a long while when he rarely missed a day without going to Paradis True Value Hardware Store.
He is survived by his wife, Janice (Shelton) Hanscom, his son, James Edward (Jimmy) and his wife Ericka, daughter, Joy Lynn, and son, Jefferson Colon (Jay) and his partner Monica. His three grandchildren, Hannah Olivia Hanscom, Cassidy Marie Hanscom and James Paul Hanscom. Along with many good friends, relatives, nieces, nephews, and a dear sister-in-law, Sherry (Shelton) Vaughan, John is also survived by his sister, Libby Beiler of Milton, PA of whom he just recently met four short years ago. She brought him much happiness in these last few years of his life. John is predeceased by his parents and his three brothers, Kenny, Bill and Rick, and a dear sister-in-law, Paula (Shelton) Lambert.
A graveside service will be held in Bar Harbor at Ledgelawn Cemetery in May.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s memory to these two organizations: Downeast Community Partners Heating Assistance Fund/THAW 248 Bucksport Road, Ellsworth 04605; Bar Harbor Food Pantry 36 Mt. Desert Street Bar Harbor, 04609.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald 1139 Main St. Mt. Desert.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.
John David Hanscom, passed away at his home in Bar Harbor on his 74th birthday. He was born January 28, 1948. He is the son of Elmer Colon Hanscom and Alice (MacDonald) Hanscom.
John was raised in, as he called it, Salsbury Cove, America. As a kid growing up, he had the most fun with his cousin, Stephen A. Strout.
John graduated from Bar Harbor High School as a proud member of the class of 1966. He never missed a class reunion! Following his graduation, he attended Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute (or as John called it, Whatsamatta U), in Presque Isle, Maine and became a Master Electrician. After his graduation at NMVTI, he married Janice Marie Shelton in August of 1968. His first job as an electrician was with Lymburner Electric and then with Peter Young until he struck out on his own, creating Hanscom Electric in the late 1970’s. He had a fire engine red van with whitewall tires, a lightbulb and lightning bolts painted on the sides.
In 1987 with his wife, Janice, they purchased Cromwell Harbor Motel in Bar Harbor. Together, they have worked tirelessly to create the business that still stands today. Janice, along with their daughter, Joy, and son, Jay, will continue the legacy of ‘The Cromwell’. John was very proud of his first-born son, Jimmy, who is a valued and successful member of the Maine Fishing Community. Jimmy lobsters out of Bar Harbor on his boat, Capt. Colie III. His boat is named after John’s father, of whom John was very close with, carrying on Colie’s seafaring legacy.
In John’s younger years he was a talented singer and guitar player. He once was offered an opportunity to go to Nashville! He performed at his sister-in-law, Paula’s wedding and brought the whole church to their knees. Later, John might hear a song and say, “I used to knock ‘em dead with that one”.
John enjoyed baseball, hockey, and golf. He played hockey on the “Cardiac League”, driving late nights to Orono for ice time with his buddies, and he would pass the puck with his kids at Glen Mary.
He proudly coached his two sons in youth baseball. A lot of kids probably have some funny memories of “Mr. Hanscom” who later became “John Dog”. John had so much fun teaching those kids the game he loved. He’d often answer the telephone, “Fenway Park, second base”, and anytime it was “time to change the subject” he’d say, “how ‘bout them Red Sox”.
He played a fair amount of golf at Kebo Valley Golf Club in his day. The Member Guest tournament was always a highlight of his summer, especially during his later years with his good friend, Doug Segal.
Snowmobiling, four wheeling and going into camp at Duck Lake and Rock Crossing with his best friends, Raymond Hanscom, Alvah Strout and Arthur Fox were probably some of his most favorite times. He always said they were “four men having more fun than they should be al- lowed to have”.
John might be best remembered for his incredible knack for telling stories and jokes, sitting in his car at the town pier before sunrise doing Sudoku and shooting the sh#t with the guys, having wicked bonfires, and making sure his lawn at the motel looked just like a baseball field. And there was a long while when he rarely missed a day without going to Paradis True Value Hardware Store.
He is survived by his wife, Janice (Shelton) Hanscom, his son, James Edward (Jimmy) and his wife Ericka, daughter, Joy Lynn, and son, Jefferson Colon (Jay) and his partner Monica. His three grandchildren, Hannah Olivia Hanscom, Cassidy Marie Hanscom and James Paul Hanscom. Along with many good friends, relatives, nieces, nephews, and a dear sister-in-law, Sherry (Shelton) Vaughan, John is also survived by his sister, Libby Beiler of Milton, PA of whom he just recently met four short years ago. She brought him much happiness in these last few years of his life. John is predeceased by his parents and his three brothers, Kenny, Bill and Rick, and a dear sister-in-law, Paula (Shelton) Lambert.
A graveside service will be held in Bar Harbor at Ledgelawn Cemetery in May.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s memory to these two organizations: Downeast Community Partners Heating Assistance Fund/THAW 248 Bucksport Road, Ellsworth 04605; Bar Harbor Food Pantry 36 Mt. Desert Street Bar Harbor, 04609.
Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald 1139 Main St. Mt. Desert.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.